 The line up of stars that will be performing promises a wonderful and memorable evening with some of the most important artists of the twenty years which have passed since Britain called for Madiba’s release on his 70th birthdy concert on June 11, 1988. It is a concert not to be missed. Performers such as Annie Lennon, Simple Minds, Shirley Bassey, Razorlight, Queen and Paul Rodgers, X Factor winner, Leona Lewis, South Africa’s Johnny Clegg, the Soweto Gospel Choir and Papa Wemba.Performing with these stars will be classical pop singer Josh Groban, the legendary fold rock singer Joan Baez, and a special appearance by Jerry Dammers, one of the organisers of Artists Against Apartheid and the Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday concert, whose Free Nelson Mandela’ song became a banner for the 80s anti-apartheid movement in the UK.Josh Groban emerged the biggest selling recording artist in the US last year, is already an Ambassador for the Nelson Mandela 46664 organisation which is hosting this year’s concert in Hyde Park. Inspired by his meeting with Mandela, Gorban established the Josh Groban Foundation to help children in South Africa through education, healthcare and the arts. His 2007 Noel’ Xmas album featured the African Children’s Choir.Joan Baez has provided one of the most influential voices of the 1960s folk rock era and along with Bob Dylan, her songs have defined a generation of peaceful protest against various political issues.Starting from tomorrow, June 16 people can send Nelson Mandela, Madiba to South Africans, a personal birthday text in a new Text Your Birthday Wishes’ campaign. The campaign is to launch 46,664 minutes before his birthday to acknowledge both his prison number of 27 years and the name of his global HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. Lines will remain open until his birthday on July 18. Profits from the texts will go to the Nelson Mandela Legacy Trust and other charitable organisations supported by Mr Mandela. The British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie, Richard Branson, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and Steve Ballesteros have all already send their birthday wishes.The concert in Hyde Park has been made possible through the support of Live Nation (an events organiser), the Royal Parks, and the private sector including Mercedes-Benz, South Africa’s Investec, Zain, British Airways, Samsung, Intercontinetal Hotels. All the proceeds of the concert will benefit Nelson Mandela’s HIV/AIDS charity, 46664, founded in 2002.For tickets please go to www.46664. Com or through Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or on 0870 534 4444.
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